Wallaby Hunting New Zealand
Red Necked Wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus)
There are six introduced species of Wallaby found in New Zealand. Red necked (or Bennett’s) can be found near Waimate. Dama wallabies are centred around Lake Tarawera. Dama, parma, blacktailed, rock and swamp wallabies inhabit Kawau Island – All Wallabies are listed as Noxious Animals and eradication programs are in place.
Red Necked Wallabies make the best hunting and in 1870, several wallabies were transported from Tasmania, Australia to Te Waimate, the property of Waimate’s first European settler in South Canterbury in the South Island. The original hope, that the skins would become valuable never eventuated and in the year 1874 saw them freed in the Hunters Hills, where over the years their population has dramatically increased. Wallabies are now resident on approximately 350,000 ha of terrain centered upon the Hunters Hills, including the Two Thumb Ranges, the Kirkliston Range. Due to the damage they do to the native vegetation they have been declared an animal pest in the Canterbury region and land occupiers must contain the wallabies within specified areas.
New Zealand has the only legal hunting opportunity for Red Necked Wallabies
The Challenge of the Hunt
These Australian imports find good concealment in the rough gullies choked with snowgrass and flax. Successful shooting calls for careful viewing from the high ridges to pinpoint these bouncing balls of energy. They Blend in very well with the tussock, exciting stalking. Being largely nocturnal, the foot hunter either has to flush them using dogs, or hunt at change of light times. Night shooting, is by far the most successful method and this usually involves a spot-lighter joining two hunters.On the back of a well equipped 4WD, and using shotguns and rifles they deal to all pests that cross their path. The weapons are complimentary and come as part of the package. The shot-gunner’s job is to clean up the running and close quarry while the rifleman takes those longer shots.
Typical Trophy
A large male Red Necked Wallaby can weigh up to 30 kilograms (65 pounds)
Best Hunting Times
There are opportunities to hunt wallabies year round, some areas will have hunting restrictions, such as local shooting seasons, block allocations and ballots.
Hunting Method
Usual hunting method is “spotting” and long range sniping. Shots can be 250 meters (275 yards) or more. We also do walk up shoots with shotguns over dogs.
Weapon
shotguns and rifles
